Responding to yesterday's Irish Times editorial (on public service delivery, see yesterday's briefing) in the paper's letters page, Pat O'Brien from Rathmines, Dublin (a frequent contributor) says that in order to ensure value for money "The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform should be required in September or October to present an annual budget for specific and measurable reforms to be implemented in the following year and should be given regular opportunities to report on performance versus budget."

There's a peculiar story in the Dublin Inquirer about a decision by Fingal County Council to deny media access to council meetings. 

The latest ESRI economic commentary is pretty upbeat, and says the Irish economy will resume a more positive growth trajectory this year as declining inflation, the likelihood of interest rate cuts and a robust labour market spur a pickup in activity.

The research body adds a warning that "if the challenge of improving public services, tackling climate change and dealing with the shortage of housing and public infrastructure is to be effectively tackled, “we need to see further expansion of key domestic facing sectors, such as building and construction.”"

Zen

Your Zen moment this morning is a box set recommendation for the long weekend ahead, should you be so inclined.

I've recently enjoyed season 2 of Extraodinary (by Irish writer Emma Moran) on Disney+, and WW2 epic Masters of the Air on Apple TV. But the one I make an appointment to see every Tuesday night is the new adaptation of Shogun on Disney+, a masterful and beautifully detailed rendering of 16th Century Japan, adapted from the 1975 novel by James Clavell.

If you're old enough to have enjoyed the 1980 TV adaptation with Richard Chamberlain, the new version takes the storytelling and visuals to a whole other level. Worth a watch.

Have a lovely day.

Niall